The Benefits of Coaching

I read the the October 2011 issue of Educational Leadership from ASCD a couple of days ago. The theme of this issue is "Coaching--The New Leadership Skill." In the opening Marge Scherer, the Editor in Chief, states, " The aim of coaching is to get educators to reflect and improve on their theory and practice...and to be open to change their minds." She then states that the authors of the articles in this edition show us that coaching can do the following:

• Boost teacher effectiveness
• Enhance student learning
• Deepen subject expertise
• Improve staff relationships

Because coaching can be so beneficial it is important for all of us at Esperanza (not just the principal) to learn how to be excellent and effective coaches.

Another Great Lesson From Pritchett

In another chapter in his booklet Business As Unusual Pritchett speaks of the need to encourage risk-taking and initiative. He says, "Get the message across to everyone that you will be tolerant of mistakes, but intolerant of inertia." In other words, we want our Esperanza people to be independent-thinking, decisive, and action-oriented. This is especially important because we are building "a ship" that has never been built before so there is a strong need for everyone to be willing to enter unchartered waters...and thus make many mistakes.

Effective Strategic Planning

The posting yesterday was from the booklet Business As Unusual. Today's will also be a "gem" from this booklet. Pritchett says that "one way of maximizing effectiveness is to operate with clearly defined goals and objectives." He says that it is beneficial to concentrate on quarterly, monthly, and even weekly performance targets that will help us reach long-term goals. Pritchett adds that wee need to keep our spotlight on the short-term goals and give a generous amount of feedback regarding progress toward the achievement of these goals.

I don't believe this is new information except for the fact it is critical that we have short-term goals (quarterly, monthly, weekly, and even daily)--and give constant feedback-- if we are to achieve our long-term goals.

We have invited Tyler Norton who did an excellent presentation at the charter school confernece to come to our next Board meeting to teach us about strategic planning that fits beautifully with Pritchett's insights.

Shaping Versus Grading

Periodically I receive a free book (more like a booklet) from Price Pritchett. Yesterday I received one called Business As Unusual. I love these booklets because so much wisdom is packed into short one page chapters. One of the chapters I particularly liked in this booklet was titled "Creating a supportive work environment." Pritchett mentioned something I had never considered. He said, "So concentrate on shaping employees' behavior, instead of grading people's behavior. Be a coach, not a judge or umpire."

He goes onto say that doing this "creates an atmosphere where people flourish, and where change can take root." I would add that this also fits right into our commitment to create an inviting environment.

School Factors #1

How can we apply the following school factors at Esperanza that research has shown affect the academic achievement of Hispanic learners?

Factor #1: High quality early childhood programs and full day kindergarten

These two things have a greater effect on Hispanic learners and low income students. Research has also shown that as far as kindergarten it is more important what they do during the day than the length of time.

Factor #2: The school has a strong shared vision and commitment.

Factor #3: Class and School Size -- Optimal classroom size is 18 and optimal school size for elementary an elementary school is 350.

Factor #4: Retention--Retention has too many negatives to even consider it for any grade level. Instead it is better to implement effective interventions.

Factor #5: Segregation and tracking: Although both of these can be detrimental, especially to Hispanic learners, there are still some things to consider. Research has shown that Hispanic learners need close relationships with high-achieving peers AND their own ethnicity. A great read about this is the book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum. Although tracking can be detrimental, flexible groupings can be extremely beneficial.

Factor #6: Whole child and learner-centered

Factor #7: Effort and persistence are rewarded-- Both the work of Dr. Glasser and the work of Dr. Carol Dweck about mind-set support this.

Forget-Me-Not

Last night I watched the LDS Women's Conference. All the talks were wonderful and I especially loved the talk by President Dieter Uchtdorf using the Forget-Me-Not flower as an analogy/metaphor. This flower is one of my favorites. In fact, I even attached Forget-Me-Not seed packets to my business cards at one time.

There are at least two lessons from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk that I feel would be wise to apply at Esperanza:

Lesson #1: Using analogies and metaphors when teaching are powerful ways to help learners remember the lesson.

Lesson #2: We must be careful not to leave Esperanza scholars (and their families) and educators unnoticed because they may not be as "large" as others. Their beauty and vibrance are just as important and valuable.

There are many ways we can adopt the Forget-Me-Not as a symbol at Esperanza.

Banned Books Week

Which of these books have you read?

• Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• Forever by Judy Bloom
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Giver by Lois Lowery
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriett Beecher Stowe
• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Osseini
• Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing by Maya Angelou
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

All of these popular books have at some time been banned or challenged. Over the centuries there have always been books that challenge the norm and push the limits of traditional thought. They have been removed from libraries or classrooms and even refused publication. The authors have also often been ostracized and those who were in possession of the books were at time accused of treason or heresy, condemned to death, torture, prison time and other severe punishments.

During this week of Banned Books Week (September 24-October 1, 2011) we want to remember that danger exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society. Books have always and will always be a means of sharing ideas.

This would be a great discussion to have with students.